New Guidance for Examiners, Financial Institutions and Technology
Service Providers on Development and Acquisition of Information Systems

Summary:

The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) has issued a booklet with guidance on evaluating development and acquisition activities. The booklet is the eighth in a series of updates, which will eventually replace the 1996 FFIEC Information Systems Examination Handbook and comprise the new FFIEC Information Technology (IT) Examination Handbook.

On May 27, 2004, the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) issued revised guidance for examiners, financial institutions and technology service providers on the development and acquisition of information technology. This guidance – the Development and Acquisition Booklet – is the eighth in a series of updates to the 1996 FFIEC Information Systems Examination Handbook.

The Development and Acquisition Booklet provides guidance on development, acquisition and maintenance projects, project risks, and project management techniques. The booklet emphasizes the use of standardized policies, detailed plans, and well-structured project management techniques when directing project activities and controlling project risks. Effective development and acquisition should result in sound information systems that provide specific functionality, consistent reliability, and strong security.

The FFIEC is issuing updates in separate booklets that will ultimately replace all chapters of the 1996 Handbook and comprise the new FFIEC Information Technology (IT) Examination Handbook. Future booklets will address wholesale payment systems, outsourcing, IT management, and computer operations. These updates will address significant changes in technology since 1996 and incorporate a risk-based examination approach.

The FFIEC agencies are distributing this booklet electronically to financial institutions and technology service providers via the Internet through the FFIEC's InfoBase application. The InfoBase includes each booklet in Adobe Acrobat PDF file format, as well as an online version with links to various resource materials and an orientation to the handbook update process.